{"id":3523,"date":"2020-02-21T15:01:48","date_gmt":"2020-02-21T20:01:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/starr-commonwealth-new.local\/?p=3523"},"modified":"2023-12-28T11:11:57","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T16:11:57","slug":"what-every-parent-needs-to-know-trauma-disregulation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starr.org\/2020\/what-every-parent-needs-to-know-trauma-disregulation\/","title":{"rendered":"What Every Parent Needs to Know – Trauma & Dysregulation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Trauma\u00a0is an overwhelming experience for children and parents. Parents want to help their traumatized children but don\u2019t always know what they can do. Providing parents with five ways to help their traumatized children will offer them reassurance for what they are already doing and ideas for how they can do more.<\/p>\n

1. Understand<\/span><\/strong>
\nRemind parents that trauma is like no other experience. Traumatized children may not have control over their emotions and behavior because the terror they experienced has left them feeling out of control.<\/p>\n

2. Be Patient<\/span><\/strong>
\nTrauma destroys a child\u2019s sense of safety and security. Children will need time to feel safe again. Be patient with regression.<\/p>\n

3. Be Nurturing<\/strong><\/span>
\nThis is an \u201call the cookies and milk you can eat\u201d time. Encourage parents to spend more time with their child interacting in meaningful ways. Play games, read books, or go for a walk together.<\/p>\n

4. Keep It Simple<\/strong><\/span>
\nA traumatized child will find it difficult to concentrate and remember even the simplest of things. Remind parents to keep things simple by saying only one or two things at a time. Visual charts of the daily schedule or tasks to be completed are helpful.<\/p>\n

5. Normalize<\/strong><\/span>
\nParents should reinforce their understanding that the reactions their child is experiencing are normal following this experience.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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FOCUSED FOLLOW-THROUGH<\/h2>\n

Guide parents using these reminders:<\/p>\n